Tunganath & Chandrashila Peak

Chandrashila Trek with Tunganath is one of the most exciting and adventurous trails in Uttarakhand. Rocky terrain leading to the summit to witness the impressive panoramic views of the Himalayas leaves you enchanted. Soaring upto 13000 feet decked with snow, oak trees, clouds and mists, this is one trek you must take.

Tunganath Temple is the highest Shiva Temple in the world perched at 3680 metres. The 1000 year old temple is open to public from April end to November and is closed during winters and the deity is shifted to Mukku Village.

Chandrashila Trek Route Map

Haridwar – Chopta – Tunganath – Chandrashila Peak – Chopta - Haridwar

Where is Chopta?

Chopta is actually a small settlement on the main road with few restaurants. It’s not even a village but a collection of restaurants and hotels. It is the starting point for the trek to Tunganath and Chandrashila Peak.

But do remember there are two Choptas in this region. The second Chopta is located near Rudraprayag which is actually a bigger village and is thus shown more prominently on Google maps. Do not get confused.

Just to let you know, there is a Chopta Valley is Sikkim also.

How to reach Chopta

Enroute Chopta

By air: Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport to Chopta. It takes around 6 hours to cover 180 kms from Airport to Chopta by road on a private vehicle

By rail: Haridwar is the nearest railway station which is well connected with major Indian cities. Local buses and Taxis are available from Haridwar.

By road: Government buses, private buses and taxis run all the way from Haridwar to Chopta and takes about 8 hours.

Trek from Chopta to Tunganath Temple

Trail to Tunganath Temple

The very nature of this beautiful and easy trek, distance and connectivity to Chopta makes this an ideal trek for novice.

Trek to the top

The trekking distance between Chopta and Tunganath is 4 kms and it usually takes 3 hours.

Time taken to trek from Chopta to Tunganath Temple is usually three hours for an average person and another one hour from Tunganath to Chandrashila. It can be classified as a fairly easy trek and is an ideal trek for first timers.

Tunganath Temple - The Highest Shiva Temple

The trekking path from Chopta starts from the main road. The trekking trail is well marked and is properly paved till Tunganath. Trees welcome the trekkers as soon as the trek begins and an endless array of snowcapped peaks can be seen on the left side.

Tunganath Temple

Snow Shivling at Tunganath Temple

The trail zigzags and steadily climbs up gaining altitude. There are places where one can sit and enjoy the views of the snow capped Himalayan range.

Trek from Tunganath Temple to Chandrashila Peak

View from Chandrashila Peak

The trek from Tunganath Temple to Chandrashila Peak is of 1.5 kms and is a steep climb gaining 600 feet ascent to 13000 feet. The path to Chandrashila starts from Tunganath itself and cannot be missed. There is a small temple at Chandrashila Peak. One can savour the 360 degrees panoramic view of the Himalaya Range from the Chandrashila Peak. Prominent peaks visible from the peak are Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kamet, Kedar dome.

While we were climbing Chandrashila Peak, it became cloudy and as soon we payed our regards to the temple at the Peak it started snowing (how cliche!!). 

Chandrashila Peak

According to mythological legends, Chandrashila is the place where Lord Ram performed penance after killing Ravana.

Trekking back to Tunganath and Chopta

The downhill trek to Chopta will be an easy task and will roughly take half the time taken to ascend the Chandrashila Peak. If there is no hurry, take a leisure walk back and enjoy the mesmerizing views of the mighty Himalayas.

Stays and accommodation at Chopta

Tents at Chopta

Many lodges, guesthouses and tents are available in Chopta and in the nearby village Sari on a single and sharing basis. Campsites are also available in Chopta and Sari.

Dos & Don’t’s

Our very own SNOWMAN

• Carry sufficient water and keep yourself hydrated.
• A good trekking shoe is a must. It can save your life.
• Wear light clothes. Avoid jeans and body hugging clothes
• Dress as per the weather
• Carry some nuts and chocolate bars for instant energy
• Trekking poles are helpful and work as a third leg sharing the body weight and pressure
• Physical Fitness is essential. Trekking needs a lot of physical and mental strength and stamina. Start practicing from today.
• Always remember that you are the inferior one in the Himalayas. Listen to the weather.

Auli - Paradise on Earth

Are you looking to spend some peaceful days, away from the hustle bustle of city life?  

Heading for the mighty Himalayas??

Are you looking for a not so touristy (and less crowds!!) destination – unlike Manali, Shimla, Nainital.

Are you looking for a place where you can go for trekking or simple hiking?

Are you looking for a place where you can enjoy some snow and learn skiing too?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then I have a place for you.

Snuggled within the grand Himalayas in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, lies the ultimate ski destination of India, Auli. In literal sense, Auli means “meadows” and is situated at a height of 7500 feet above sea level. Auli has put India on the world map for skiing.

GMVN Nanda Devi Eco Tourist Resort

Auli encompasses spectacular views of the Himalayas which will leave you spell bound. During winters the entire area is covered with snow and is visited by skiing and snowboarding enthusiast. During summers this simple town offers lush greenery and is akin to a hill station - to beat the heat from the plains and an exciting trekking experience.

We visited Auli in the first week of March which was the perfect time to explore the place in all its glory. During our visit, Auli, the surrounding areas were covered with a thick blanket of snow and the sky was clear too - giving us the opportunity to witness and enjoy the scintillating Himalayan Peaks.

During our stay we witnessed snowfall a couple of times. We were lucky to experience the two aspects of Auli – the clear weather because of which we were able to witness the snow covered mountains all around and the snowfall which is an experience in its own.

Things to experience in Auli

Skiing in Snow

Auli is the skiing destination in India. So when in Auli, get ready for skiing. See how beautifully the slopes of the Himalayas are covered in glittering snow. Professional guides and equipments required for skiing are easily available on rent.

Auli Ski Track

Auli skiing slopes vary from 400 m to 4 kms and if you really want to learn skiing, you can join the 15 days or a 1 month training program run by GMVN.

Longest & 2^nd Highest Ropeway

Auli is connected to Joshimath (base point) through ropeway which is the longest (4 kms) and the 2nd highest ropeway in Asia. The highest Ropeway is in Gulmarg, Kashmir and is 5 kms long!! The ropeway is run by GMVN and cost Rs 700 per person for a return journey. You can also try the cable lift which cost Rs 300 per person and offers a spectacular view of the Himalayas.

The Ropeway

When we took the cable ride, it left us speechless with the calmness (not a whisper expect for the wind whistling past) and dazzling snow covered slopes.

Highest Manmade Lake

Auli has the highest manmade lake in the world which was created to produce synthetic artificial snow in skiing season in case of scanty snowfall. Sometimes in snow if there are lot of tourist in Auli, the operators produce artificial snow for tourist delight.

Highest Manmade Lake

During our visit the artificial lake was covered with snow as you can see in the picture. The mesmerizing frozen lake set against the backdrop of Nanda Devi peak is a must visit.

360 degree view of Himalayas

The wake up view

Auli provides the 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayas. In fact if you arrive at night, the morning view from your room is quite fascinating and touches you to the core. During the winters the mountains are covered with thick white blanket of snow which can make a beautiful postcard pic. Auli boasts of some of the majestic Himalayan mountain ranges like the very famous Nanda Devi Peak, Kamet Kamat, Trishul Peak, Maha Parbat.  The snow covered mountains left us speechless and instil a sense of calm and serenity.

Trekking

There are many trekking routes in and around Auli. So for trek lovers and hikers Auli is the place to be. 

Here is a list of trekking routes:

Trek to Gurso Bugyal (3 kms)
Trek to sweet water Chattrakund Lake (4 kms)
Hiking to Kwani Bugyal via Gurso Bugyal (13 kms)
Trek to Kuari Pass (20 Kms)
Nanda Devi National Park trek from Joshimath/Auli (Difficult)

A cup of coffee & maggi at the top

Enjoy piping hot maggi and a cup of strong coffee at the top amidst snow covered slopes as the backdrop and the mighty Himalayas at the front. There is a small stall just at the exit of the cable car lift center in upper Auli. Don’t miss on the delicious maggi and the absolutely delicious coffee that he has to offer.

We had stayed in the GMVN Ski Resort and the restaurant in the resort offer good food. The resort also has a bar so you can keep yourself warm in the late evening with a drink.

Other activities In Auli

Other than the activities mentioned above you can also do the following:

• Camping under the million of star filled sky
• Riding ATV Bikes on the slopes of Auli
• Explore Joshimath
• Go to Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath

Auli Ropeway Details

The ropeway in Auli boasts of being the longest and the 2^nd highest ropeway in Asia with a total stretch of 4.15 Kms which it covers in 22 minutes. The cart can accommodate 25 people in one go and the tariff is Rs 750 per person for a return journey. Kids above the age of 5 years are charged full ticket.

You can also opt for taking a chairlift (800 m in Rs 300 per person for a return journey) or a ski lift (500m) if you want a shorter ride. Both of them offer stunning views of the mighty Himalayas.

Timing for the ropeway from Joshimath:

Summers – 8:00 am to 5:10 pm
Winters – 9:15 am to 4:20 pm

How to reach Auli

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest Airport. From there you have to travel by road (Taxi or Bus) and the distance is approximately 290 Kms. It takes 12 hours to cover this distance.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh and from there again you have to travel by road. Rishikesh to Auli is around 250 Kms. You can also take a train to Haridwar or Dehradun and then travel to Auli by road.

By Road: Joshimath is the base point for Auli and is well connected from major cities like Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun. From Joshimath there are two ways you can reach lower Auli – either take the very famous ropeway (which can drop you at lower Auli and upper Auli both) or go by road. The road will be closed if it had snowed heavily.

Upper Auli cannot be reached by road. You have to either take the ropeway or trek up.

Best time to visit Auli

The best time to visit Auli depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. If you want to enjoy snow, try skiing then plan your visit anytime between November and March.

If you are looking for a respite from the scorching heat in the plains, April to June is the perfect time to visit Auli. In summers, the weather is clear and you can enjoy clear view of the Himalayan Peaks and treks in the lush green surrounding areas.

GMVN Resort in Lower Auli

The monsoon in the region starts from July and scanty rains continue till October. This is the period where I will request you to avoid travelling in the Hills due to increased risk of accidents and landslides.

Where to stay in Auli

Auli has not been commercialised yet and thus have few stay options – Cliff Top Club, Himalayan Ecolodge and Garhwal Government (GMVN) run accommodation. GMVN has two stay options in Auli namely, GMVN Auli Ski Resort (Lower Auli) and GMVN Nanda Devi Eco Tourist Rersort (Upper Auli)

All these options are comparatively expensive, the most economical being GMVN Tourist Guest House which can be booked online through their website http://gmvnl.in/

If you want a cheaper stay options you can stay at Joshimath which has a plethora of budget stay options and visit Auli on day tour.

Some Tips:

• Accommodation in GMVN is highly recommended. Book your stay early using the GMVN website as the resort.
• In GMVN Auli you can contact Mr. Kamal Kishore – 9568006629 for all your queries. He is a jovial person and will assist you.
• No matter what the season always keep some woollen clothes with you. If you are visiting in winters the temperature easily goes below zero so be adequately prepared.
• We had travelled by Nanda Devi Express (Train No. 12205) from New Delhi to Haridwar and then booked an Innova to take us to Auli. The train departs from New Delhi at 23:50 and reaches Hridwar at 03:52. While coming back we again took Nanda Devi Express (Train No. 12206) from Haridwar at 23:30 and reached New Delhi at 05:20
• We had booked Innova from Haridwar to Joshimath and return with Car Rental In Haridwar. You can check the website on www.carrentalinharidwar.com
• During your drive to Joshimath you will cross the four prayags (sacred river confluence as per Hindu religion) out of the five prayags – Nanda Prayag, Karn Prayag, Rudraprayag and DevPrayag. The fifth prayag i.e. Vishnu Prayag is a short drive away from Joshimath, if you have time please stop over at the prayags and enjoy the sacred convergence.

The day after - Icicles

We did our entire trip from Mumbai – Delhi – Haridwar – Auli and back in four days. The fifth early morning we took a flight back from New Delhi to Mumbai and were in our respective offices in the morning. Ours was a very packed trip which is not recommended. We were in Auli for only one day which is a very short time.

Finally a dash of colour

It is recommended to stay in Auli for 3-4 days to enjoy its calmness and serenity. I know that one day in Auli was worth the entire effort made to reach there. We all have promised ourselves that we will come to Auli again with more time in hand because we all have fallen in love with Auli. I would highly recommended to visit in Auli because then you will get to see the snow covered slopes, Winter clouds and enjoy the beauty that the colour white (snow) holds. It will awaken your spirit and snow and you will never even realise when you have fallen in love with Auli.

Chandra Taal – Rohtang Pass – Manali – Chandigarh

DAY 9 - CHANDRATAAL- BATAL- CHATRU- GRAMPHOO- ROHTANG PASS- MANALI

It was time for the final leg of our trip. We all got up really early in the morning. Wore our socks, shoes, caps, jacket - packed our bags and were out of the tents.

I was greeted by a bright morning today. The early morning view of the mighty mountain tops with the gold tinged blue sky was overwhelming. I felt the cold wind just as I stepped out of the tent.

Tents at Chandrataal - Our stay

The water was freezing cold; I had a tough time brushing my teeth. We had hot tea and some biscuits while our luggage was getting loaded in our car. We clicked few pics and drunk in the mesmerizing view.. oh it was so BEAUTIFUL!!!

Once in the car we headed to Manali. Manali was our last stop on this trip. We have been to Manali before.. when we did our road trip to Ladakh in 2011.

Today we were going to cross Rohtang Pass to reach Manali and few nallas (water streams on the roads) that are interspersed with small rocks. One of the reason we started early was that it is easy to cross these nallas in the morning as the ice doesn’t start melting and hence water flowing is less. As the day progresses, the glaciers melts and the flow of water increases, thus the chances of the car getting stuck increases.

Today for the entire drive from Chandrataal to Manali there were no road at all, it was an adventurous drive. We had to get off a couple of times so that it is easier for our driver (better ground clearance of the car) to cross the nallah. Trust me you have to be ready good on the wheels in order to cross this.

Chandrataal to Manali

Enroute there are few amazing views of snow top mountain peaks with clouds hovering at the top of the peaks. It look so awesome.

As we approach Rohtang Pass, greenery starts to appear and the dry mountains disappear gradually. You could see loads of waterfalls in mountains on the opposite side. In fact, it became a game for us.. who will spot the waterfall first!!

Enroute Manali

Btw another game that we have played during our entire trip was spot the hot-wheels cars.. During our entire trip there were few cars we had seen.. so if we ever saw any cars at a distant mountain we will show the other people in the car.. “see there is a hot-wheel car” and we all will be busy try to spot the next one first.. Gosh what all we do on trips..

So, just when we crossed Gramphu the climb to Rohtang Pass starts.. The road which goes to Leh joins us after a while.

When we were approaching Rohtang Pass, the first thing we saw was the number of cars parked there.. it was astounding… there were so many cars and so many tourists.. it looked like Dadar station at peak hours. After spending so many days in serenity total deprived of people Rohtang Pass was a nightmare.

None of us wanted to stop at Rohtang and therefore we headed straight to Manali. The road from Rohtang Pass to Manali is a very smooth ride, full of greenery. It felt good to the eyes – seeing greenery after so many days..

Towards Rohtang Pass

We saw few people trying their hands at paragliding.. Our hotel was in Old Manali and was a treat to the eyes. After so many days of bare minimum existence we were staying at a hotel which seemed like luxury at the moment.

Paragliding near Rohtang Pass, Manali

Old Manali has a very hippy feel.. you will feel as if you have come to Goa. After taking a nice long hot water bath, watching some TV (after so many days), we headed out for a late lunch.

After a very delicious lunch we walked towards Hadimba Temple. It was a nice long walk where we passed through a forest area filled with long pine trees.

Hadimba Temple is an ancient cave temple and is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba who was a sister of demon Hadimb who ruled these mountains and was feared by all. The temple does not have any idol, just a foot print on a stone. Bhima (one of the Pandavas) married Hadimba and had a son named Ghatotkachh.

Hadimba Temple, Manali

There was a small queue and after a visit to the temple we headed to Mall Road of Manali. Again after walking for a while (actually walking for a very long time) we reached the Mall Road. We wanted to do some shopping but the entire Mall Road was packed with people. After all it was the tourist season. We strolled for a while and then hailed a rick and headed back to our hotel.

All of us at Hadimba Temple, Manali

We called for food in our room and had a simple dinner. We decided to call it an early night as all of us were tired after travelling for long hours on mountainous roads.

DAY 10 - MANALI- KULLU- MANDI- CHANDIGARH- MUMBAI

Today was the last day of our trip.. and with that we will complete our circuit. We had to catch a 7:00 pm flight for Mumbai from Chandigarh Airport. We had thought that we could start for Chandigarh around 9:00 am after a scrumptious breakfast. But our driver had insisted that we leave early as the route from Manali to Chandigarh tends to have lot of traffic and we can get stuck in traffic jams for hours.

Therefore, we started really early, around 6:00 am from our hotel to Chandigarh. At that time Manali was still sleeping; there were hardly any soul on the road when we were exiting.

Biding BYE to the Hills

Everyone in the car was silent today – may be from lack of sleep or from the tiredness of the entire trip.

After an hour’s drive we stopped over for breakfast at a small dhaba. After some food went in the tummy we all started waking up so maybe we all were just plain hungry and that’s why quiet.

Well nothing much to describe the route from Manali to Chandigarh except that it was a comparatively smooth ride. Driving alongside the Beas River, with total greenery around, it was a different variation from the scene we have been seeing till now.

Beas River - Manali

The Beas River had clear water and was flowing in full force. With green mountains on one side and Beas River on the other side, it was a very serene and relaxing drive.

On our drive we drove through a tunnel… and what an amazing experience it was. I have never been through a tunnel this long.. it was never ending.. we must have crossed few mountains through the tunnel.

Beas River - Giving us company on the drive

When we hit the plains we realized that it’s the month of July and its summers.. It was HOT!! After ten days we were feeling hot, we had to switch on the AC, for the first time in our 10 day trip. It was so nice in the hills – absolutely perfect.

This was the day when we did not take out the camera at all and very few clicks were taken from our cell phones.

I think either we were thoroughly exhausted or we had seen much more beautiful scenery in this trip that what we were seeing today was pretty ordinary. 

On our way we had lunch where the definition of Dal Makhani was ¾ Butter and ¼ Dal.. Same goes for chapattis.. After all it is PUNJAB

We were at the airport really early.. we had around 4 hours to kill at the airport. After freshening, relaxing, chit chatting we decided to play our very favourite UNO.

Trust me, we were a sight at the airport. Everyone was staring at us… Boss we were just playing cards..

Finally, it was it was time for us to board.. I think ours was the last flight for the day because when we were taxing we saw the lights of the airport being switched off..

After two and a half hour flight, when we landed at the Mumbai airport we thought we have entered a fish market. There were so many people..  I must have not seen so many people in totality in the entire ten day trip..

With that I realized that we are back.. our vacation is over.. and we are back in the mad rush.. in the rat race..

As I sit in the car to head home I already had frown lines on my face.. so much crowd.. so much rush.. honking.. pushing.. oh God!!!

I have just stepped out of the airport and I feel I need a vacation already…

This was a trip which have made my love for Himalayas stronger.. I will for sure be going back in few years.. I will definitely be planning a short trip to Narkanda very soon in winters to enjoy the snow topped pine trees..

On my way home, I thought that the views which we saw in this trip to Kinnaur and Spiti were mesmerizing.. and at some point make you speechless.

The views were beautiful, spectacular, fascinating, mesmerizing, magical, mind blogging.. any other adjective left??? It was a life time experience because the journey and the destination both were magical. They just cast a spell on you.

But I realized that apart from the journey and the destination, which were both just out of the world.. I had the best company!! So the advice that I can give to fellow travelers is no matter where you go… to the Himalayas or to the turquoise blue water at Lakshadweep.. the best Company will always make you feel the best..

After all that’s what the vacations are for… to feel on top of the world!!!!

Points to Note:

• Book an Innova or a Xylo for a comfortable travel. As the roads are bad travel in Sumo or Maxx can be cumbersome.
  Although the distance between places (at times) is not far because of the rough terrain it takes a considerable time to go from one place to another. So plan accordingly.
• It is advised to start your day early and reach your destination while it is daylight. Please avoid driving once the sun sets. Driving in dark can be very dangerous.
• Please carry warm clothes including sweater, jacket, cap, mufflers, socks and gloves. Wear shoes and not sandals or chappals.
• Be easy on steps and while walking. Avoid brisk walk or running at high altitudes as the oxygen level is low.
• If you are feeling mountain sickness have chocolate or popcorn. It helps. Make it a point of sipping in water regularly.
• Please don’t litter and maintain the beauty of nature.
• Do stop enroute to appreciate the view and take the blessings from the stupas and temple there.
• At Chandrataal, we stayed at Parasol Camps. The tents are comfortable and warm. Bathrooms are not attached and the water is chilly.
• It is very windy and cold at Chandrataal camps specially after sun set. Do carry windsheeters and warm clothes. Pls cover your ears.
• In Manali, we stayed at Dragon Guesthouse, Old Manali. Its a beautiful hotel with big rooms, hot water and good food. 
• Don't forget to stop over and appreciate the views. After all the journey is as important as the destination.

  

Kaza – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Kunzum Pass – Chandra Taal (14,100 Ft)

DAY 7 - KAZA- HIKKIM- KOMIC- LANGZA

Today we embarked our journey to see the other three villages near Kaza – Langza, Hikkim and Komic. All the three villages are near each other and not very far from Kaza. The drive was breathtaking and had relatively good roads.

Buddha Statue at Langza

We first headed to Langza which has a big Buddha statue just above the village. The Buddha statue is beautiful and from there you can enjoy 360 degree panoramic view. Langza is also known for its fossil stones. You will be very lucky if you found a fossil stone lying on the ground. If you want you can buy fossil stone which are sold by local people.

Buddha Statue - Up close

View from up there

Next we visited Komic, which is blessed with two monasteries. In one monastery, ladies are not allowed. The other monastery was quite and like other monasteries vibrant and colorful. It is the highest village in the world with a mere 200 people living there.

Komic Village

Let's just stay here forever!!

Next we headed to Hikkim, which has the world’s highest post office. Do visit the post office and send some post cards to your loved ones. When we went to the post office the manager had gone to Kaza to buy post cards and stationery and his son was in-charge of the post office. He asked us to write the required details (address, your personal message and mobile number) on a blank page and promised us that he will send the post card once the stationery is received.

World's Highest Post Office at Hikkim

As promised, I did receive the post card from Hikkim. Post card from the highest post office in the world is like a medal for a travel lover.

Spiti is full of picturesque villages. There is nothing much to see in these villages but to enjoy the natural beauty which I am sure is what you came for in the first place. Serenity and pristine beauty of the village will definitely fascinate your imagination.

After seeing these small villages in Spiti, few questions come in my mind. How do these people endure winters here where the temperature can go below -20 degrees? How do these people procure food and other items? There are no shops, nothing? What do these people do when they are visited by snow leopards in winters? There life is tough and full of hard work but you will find everyone with a smile on their face, happy and content.

During the last 2 days there were occasions we saw foreigners cycling the entire circuit (from Kaza to the villages). In the evening we were keen to try our hands at cycling a bit. But after a few minutes of cycling, we were out of breath!! This despite the gradient being largely flat and only slightly inclined.

This being our last night in Kaza, we chatted with our hotel owner (and also trip organizer) post dinner. He informed us that in winters, some people lock down their houses and go downhill where it is slightly warmer. Others who stay back, are the adventurous sorts (he being one of them). When the winter is just setting in, around December, they invite skiing experts and start adventure sport training for a few weeks. This is the only way they get to pass time and keep themselves occupied. 

The entire of Sakya Abode (Kaza) is extremely courteous and helpful. Though it may not be the best hotel in Kaza, in terms of facilities, it definitely makes up for it in terms of service standards.

DAY 8 - KAZA- LOHSAR- KUNZUM PASS- CHANDRATAAL LAKE

Today was a long day for us. We will be on road for about ten to twelve hours but we will be travelling through one of the most beautiful scenery of Spiti Valley. We will be crossing Kunzum Pass today to reach a high altitude lake – Chandrataal.

We started our journey early morning after a filling breakfast. The route to Chandrataal is very beautiful with breath taking different colours of mountains. As if a child had painted them and the teacher had not bothered to tell that the mountains can only be a boring brown or lush green.

After Kaza, at Lohsar do grab a bite to eat, as after Lohsar till Chandrataal you will not find any restaurant or Dhaba to eat. After Lohsar, the ascent to Kunzum Pass starts. Roads will again vanish and the roads will be no more than dirt tracks. From here till Rohtang Pass, there are absolutely no roads. These will be the worst roads you have ever driven on, so be ready for it.

On our way to Kunzum Pass

Kunzum Pass remains close for most part of the year and is open for a few months only. It is the highest pass in the region and divides Spiti and Lahaul regions.  At Kunzum Pass, you will see few stupas and numerous colorful prayer flags fluttering, since the Pass is at a height it is very windy and cold. There is a temple just next to the stupas. We got off at the pass and clicked few pictures as the view from here is stunning.

Kunzum Pass

Colourful Flags at Kunzum Pass

After spending sometime here we started again towards Chandrataal. The road was dangerously narrow and of not too great quality. As you get closer to Chandrataal, you will see various camping and tents accommodation. 

You cannot take your vehicle till the lake. So we stopped our vehicle around 20 mins before the lake and started trekking towards the lake. It is windy and therefore warm clothes are recommended. After trekking for some time we saw the first glimpse of Chandrataal Lake. No amount of Google images could have prepared us for the beautiful sight that lies in front of our eyes. I was smitten by this beautiful Lake.

Trek to Chandrataal Lake

First glimpse of Chandrataal Lake

The serene Lake

The lake was pristine blue, with mountains on all sides, the sand near the lake is white and soft as talcum powder. It was sheer bliss.

Isn't this pure bliss???

Some Craziness!!!

We wanted to just settle there. It was without doubt the most beautiful thing on our Spiti Trip. After spending around two hours at the lake, walking around the lake, taking pictures, lazing around, we started heading back towards our car as it was getting cold and windy.

Once back in our car we headed to our tents where we had made arrangements to stay overnight. This was the second time when we were staying in tents (first was in Jispa during our trip to Ladakh in 2011). Once we reached the compound of the tents we were immediately shown our tents and were asked to come to the kitchen to have hot tea. (By the time they bring tea from the kitchen to our tents, it turns cold!!) After piping hot tea we felt refreshed and again settled ourselves in one tent for numerous rounds of UNO.

Tents near Chandrataal Lake

Camps near Chandrataal

Once inside the tent we were so warm that we didn’t want to step out for even using the washroom or having dinner. They serve dinner in a huge tent, where everyone from the camp assembles. They gave us garlic soup directly from the stove and it was not burning our tongue… just imagine how cold it was there in the month of July. God knows what happens there in December.

After a hot dinner we headed to our tents for a peaceful sleep, with Chandrataal Lake in our mind and thanking the Mother Nature for everything that she has gifted us.

Points to Note:

• Book an Innova or a Xylo for a comfortable travel. As the roads are bad travel in Sumo or Maxx can be cumbersome.
• Although the distance between places (at times) is not far because of the rough terrain it takes a considerable time to go from one place to another. So plan accordingly.
• It is advised to start your day early and reach your destination while it is daylight. Please avoid driving once the sun sets. Driving in dark can be very dangerous.
• Please carry warm clothes including sweater, jacket, cap, mufflers, socks and gloves. Wear shoes and not sandals or chappals.
• Be easy on steps and while walking. Avoid brisk walk or running at high altitudes as the oxygen level is low.
• If you are feeling mountain sickness have chocolate or popcorn. It helps. Make it a point of sipping in water regularly.
• Please don’t litter and maintain the beauty of nature.
• Do stop over at Kunzum Pass to appreciate the view and take the blessings from the stupas and temple there.
• Chandrataal Lake is a 15-20 mins trek. Take your own time walking and appreciate the natural beauty. The lake is a beautiful sight, savor every moment.  
• In Kaza we stayed at Hotel  Sakya Abode. The rooms were a little small but were built in accordance with old architecture. It is made of mud and is thus cold resistant. The staff and restaurant of this hotel is excellent. Must stay at Kaza. 
• The monastery and the temple at Kaza is a three mins walk from the hotel.
• At Chandrataal, we stayed at Parasol Camps. The tents are comfortable and warm. Bathrooms are not attached and the water is chilly.
• It is very windy and cold at Chandrataal camps specially after sun set. Do carry windsheeters and warm clothes. Pls cover your ears.
• Don't forget to stop over and appreciate the views. After all the journey is as important as the destination.